230 R.I. Code R. 230-RICR-20-40-1.4

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 230-RICR-20-40-1.4 - Claims Practices

A. Every insurer, upon receiving due notification of a claim shall, within fifteen (15) days of the notification, provide necessary claim forms, instructions and reasonable assistance so the insured can properly comply with company requirements for filing a claim.

B. Upon receipt of proof of loss from a claimant, the insurer shall begin any necessary investigation of the claim within fifteen (15) days.

C. The insurer's standards for claims processing shall be such that notice of claim or proof of loss submitted against one policy issued by that insurer shall fulfill the insured's obligation under any and all similar policies issued by that insurer and specifically identified by the insured to the insurer to the same degree that the same form would be required under any similar policy. If additional information is required to fulfill the insured's obligation under similar policies, the insurer may request the additional information. When it is apparent to the insurer that additional benefits would be payable under an insured's policy upon additional proofs of loss, the insurer shall communicate to and cooperate with the insured in determining the extent of the insurer's additional liability.

D. The insurer shall affirm or deny liability on claims within a reasonable time and shall offer payment within thirty (30) days of affirmation of liability if the amount of the claim is determined and not in dispute. If portions of the claim are in dispute, the insurer shall tender payment for those portions that are not disputed within thirty (30) days.

E. With each claim payment, the insurer shall provide to the insured an Explanation of Benefits that shall include the name of the provider or services covered, dates of service, and a reasonable explanation of the computation of benefits.

F. An insurer may not impose a penalty upon any insured for noncompliance with insurer requirements for precertification unless such penalty is specifically and clearly set forth in the policy.

G. If a claim remains unresolved for thirty (30) days from the date proof of loss is received, the insurer shall provide the insured or, when applicable, the insured's beneficiary, with a reasonable written explanation for the delay. In credit, mortgage and assigned accident/health claims, the notice shall be provided to the debtor/insured or medical provider in addition to the insured. If the investigation remains incomplete, the insurer shall, forty-five (45) days from the date of initial notification and every forty-five (45) days thereafter, send to the claimant a letter setting forth the reasons additional time is needed for investigation.

H. The insurer shall acknowledge and respond within fifteen (15) days to any written communications relating to a pending claim.

I. When a claim is denied, written notice of denial shall be sent to the claimant within fifteen (15) days of the determination. The insurer shall reference the policy provision, condition or exclusion upon which the denial is based.

J. No insurer shall deny a claim upon information obtained in a telephone conversation or personal interview with any source unless the telephone conversation or personal interview is documented in the claim file.

K. Insurers offering cash settlements of first party long-term disability income claims, except in cases where there is a bona fide dispute as to the coverage for, or amount of, the disability, shall develop a present value calculation of future benefits (with probability corrections for mortality and morbidity) utilizing contingencies such as mortality, morbidity, and interest rate assumptions, etc. appropriate to the risk. A copy of the amount so calculated shall be given to the insured and signed by him/her at the time a settlement is entered into.

L. No insurer shall indicate to a first party claimant on a payment draft, check or in any accompanying letter that said payment is "final" or "a release" of any claim unless the policy limit has been paid or there has been a compromise settlement agreed to by the first party claimant and the insurer as to coverage and amount payable under the policy.

M. No insurer shall withhold any portion of any benefit payable as a result of a claim on the basis that the sum withheld is an adjustment or correction for an overpayment made on a prior claim arising under the same policy unless:

a. The insurer has in its files clear, documented evidence of an overpayment and written authorization from the insured permitting the withholding procedure, or

b. The insurer has in its files clear, documented evidence that:

1. The overpayment was clearly erroneous under the provisions of the policy and if the overpayment is not the subject of a reasonable dispute as to facts;

2. The error that resulted in the payment is not a mistake of the law;

3. The insurer has notified the insured within six (6) months of the date of the error, except that in instances of error prompted by representations or nondisclosures of claimants or third parties, the insurer notified the insured within fifteen (15) days after the date the evidence of discovery of such error is included in its file. For the purpose of this rule, the date of the error shall be the day on which the draft for benefits is issued; and

4. The notice stated clearly the nature of the error and the amount of the overpayment.

N. If, after an insurer rejects a claim, the claimant objects to such rejection, the insurer shall notify the claimant in writing that he or she may have the matter reviewed by the State of Rhode Island Insurance Division, via the contact information for the Department promulgated in a Bulletin for this specific purpose.

230 R.I. Code R. 230-RICR-20-40-1.4